Man hospitalized with gunshot wound after apparent home invasion

Moez Aschi talks with police officers in front of 1304 Dawn Ridge Road, where the shooting involving one injured victim happened Monday afternoon. Aschi said he purchased the house from an auction in April and received a call from his friend about the incident before he arrived at the scene at 3 p.m. Monday. | Jiwon Choi

COLUMBIA — A man was shot in a home invasion at 1304 Dawn Ridge Road around noon Monday.

Columbia Police found two men in the home when they arrived at the house, which is in northeast Columbia off Clark Lane. One of the men had been shot in the lower abdomen, and his injury was considered life-threatening, according to a Columbia Police Department news release.

The Police Department did not release the names of either men. It was not clear from the release whether the victim was the homeowner or an intruder.

The gunshot victim was taken to University Hospital, and the other was detained for questioning.

Moez Aschi, who was standing in front of the house Monday afternoon, said that he had purchased the house in an auction in April and that it was supposed to be vacated within two weeks. He said he had visited the house three times before and whenever he visited, there were far too many people in the house.

Christine Knipfel, a next-door neighbor, said she saw four men standing on the porch of the house yelling at each other Monday morning.

“I heard the loud voices, but I heard nothing (like a shooting),” she said.

Police are asking for anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers at 875-8477.